Trusted Data

What are “Trusted Data”?

The Trusted Data Observatory (TDO) makes trusted data sources visible and discoverable through standardised, open, machine‑readable and AI‑enabled metadata. Trusted Data are data produced under recognised international statistical principles, using transparent methods and under clear public mandates and accountability frameworks. Their origin, methodology and stewardship can be verified.

In short: Trusted Data are not defined by topic, but by who produces them and how they are produced.

Why Trusted Data matter

In today’s AI‑enabled search environment, authoritative sources are often overlooked because their metadata are not sufficiently open, harmonised or machine‑readable. The TDO fixes this visibility gap so that trusted facts can be found first — by people and by AI systems.

Who produces Trusted Data — today?

During the initial development of the TDO, Trusted Data refers to the holdings of:

• National Statistical Offices (NSOs)
• International Organisations with recognised statistical divisions (IOs)

These institutions operate under internationally agreed principles (e.g., the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics) and standards (such as SDMX, DDI, DCAT, GSIM), providing methodological rigour, impartiality and quality assurance.

What kinds of data are included?

• Statistical releases and publications
• Aggregated time series and indicators
• Online data tables and aggregate databases
• Public‑use microdata files
• Synthetic microdata
• Restricted microdata (metadata only; access remains with the data owner)

Note: The TDO exposes metadata only. Data remain entirely under the control of the publisher.

Why these sources should be visible on the TDO

• Authoritative by design: NSOs and IOs have legal/public mandates, follow global quality frameworks and provide traceable provenance.
• Globally comparable: Use of international classifications and methods enables cross‑country analysis.
• Currently under‑discovered: Without harmonised, AI‑ready metadata, trusted sources are hard to find; TDO provides the discovery layer.
• Public good: Better discovery supports evidence‑based policymaking, research, journalism and democratic accountability.

Long‑term vision: all trusted data

The TDO starts with NSO and IO holdings. In the long run, the ambition is to include all trusted data from states and international organisations. Over time, the community may also consider other producers that meet agreed trust criteria (e.g., NGOs, research institutions, domain agencies).

Who decides what counts as Trusted Data?

This will be determined by a global governance mechanism. Governance will define inclusion criteria, validate organisations and datasets, and ensure neutrality and transparency. Until that is established, the TDO focuses on NSOs and IOs as the initial, universally recognised trusted producers.

In one sentence

Trusted Data are authoritative statistical data produced under recognised international principles — starting with NSOs and IOs — and, over time, the TDO will expand to include all trusted data once global governance defines the criteria for inclusion.